Sep
30
2009
Do you love yourself? Do you really love yourself as God wants you to?
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, he offered this.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul mind and strength, and love others as yourself.” (Mark 12:29-31) See also Matthew 19:18-19.
We can not love others in the manner God intends us to without loving ourselves in a God-honoring way. And, we are not able to sustain the types of habits God wants us to live by without this type of core, self-love that is received from God.
The love God wants us to have for ourselves is the agape-type love that God displayed for us when he sent his Son, Jesus, to die for our sins so that we might enjoy an eternal and abundant life. This is an unselfish - an unconditional type of love.
Many of us look to outward things and often resort to unhealthy often addictive behaviors in an effort to “feel good” about ourselves or to fill a very deep whole we have in our heart because we do not truly love ourselves. Some call this low self esteem. I think that God would say it’s because there is a deep root of low agape love of one’s self.
God loves you. His love is so wide and deep that you cannot measure it. (Ephesians 3:18-19) When a person accepts Jesus into her heart, God’s Holy Spirit begins to live in her. The more she turns her heart to God, believes in truths found in the Bible and surrenders herself to God, the greater the display of God’s love is present in her life. One such “fruit” is love, including a godly self-love.
The more the measure of self love we have, through the work of God’s Spirit, the more we are able to love others as God commands us. Additionally, the more love we have for ourselves, the more motivation and power we will have to make any desired behavior changes in our lives.
Maybe you desire to lose weight. Maybe you want to become more physically active. Or, perhaps you are challenged by an unhealthy addictive behavior that you’d like to stop. Agape self-love can be instrumental in providing the motivation to start these change of habits and in receiving the determination and power to continue with the new lifestyle.
This type of genuine agape love of yourself is best received from the God who created you. The best way I know to learn about God’s love is through spending time with him as I read the Bible and by praying to him in conjunction with that.
Questions to Ask Yourself (Consider commenting with your responses on this blog!)
Are you struggling with making behavior changes that have not been sustained?
Do you have a deep agape-type love of yourself that has been given to you by God?
Have you received the unconditional love that God has for you by accepting the love of his Son, Jesus
Resources Related to God’s Love
Article – Loving God… A Spiritual Exercise for a Healthier Life
Article – God Wants You Whole
Blog Post – Spirituality and Health: The Real Connection is Our Relationship With God
Website – All About God – God is Love
Training Materials – A workshop package to help share God’s love and his truths about the spirituality-health connection and equip others to make behavior changes.
Sep
23
2009
Wellness Wednesday Blog Series
Today marks the start of brief weekly posts with the title of Wellness Wednesday. Addressing topics of spirit, mind and body health from a Christian faith perspective, my idea will be to reuse some of the material I have already written and also to share current info and insights I have on the topic of total wellness.
If you’re a graphic artist and would like to design a unique graphic that I can regularly use for this regular post, I’d love to see what you might suggest. Please contact me.
The FITT Principle
If you were working with a personal trainer, he/she would keep in mind the FITT acronym in developing your workout plan. He’d want to determine the frequency(F) of your workouts, the intensity(I) or how hard you’d perform the exercises, the duration or amount of time(T) you’d engage in the various exercises and the various types(T) of exercises you should perform. These are all basic considerations when working out physically.
Spiritual Fitness & Spiritual Exercises
This FITT acronym can also be helpful in addressing your spiritual fitness program as you consider the various “exercises” that you participate in to be spiritually fit.
Read a 1-page article I have written on spiritual fitness, spiritual exercises and the FITT principle.
Have a great Wednesday… and be well.
Sep
22
2009
At 5:18 PM EDT the Fall season begins here in Charlotte, NC. It’s called the autumnal or fall equinox.
What happens during the Autumnal equinox?
The sun crosses the celestial equator and moves southward in the northern hemisphere during the September equinox. The location on the earth where the sun is directly overhead at solar noon is known as the subsolar point. The subsolar point occurs on the equator during the September equinox and March equinox. At that time, the earth’s axis of rotation is perpendicular to the line connecting the centers of the earth and the sun. This is the time when many people believe that the earth experiences 12 hours of day and night. However, this is not exactly the case.
I’ve always been really interested in weather, maps and data like this. I keep holding out for the opportunity to do the weather on television one day. Wouldn’t that be cool?
As we enter into this new season, it reminds me of the changes that will occur. Leaves change colors and the outside temperature begins to cool. The change of seasons is also a time of year when people make a concerted effort to change undesirable health-related behaviors. With this in mind, I thought I’d provide links to two posts I’ve previously made on this topic.
Changing Behavior With God’s Help
Blog Post – Power to Change Behavior - Ephesians 3:14-20
Blog Post – Change Unhealthy Behavior – The Power of God’s Spirit in You
Enjoy the Fall season!
Sep
21
2009
Whatever challenges you may find yourself in, remember that God is a god of strength and power. As he did for the people of Israel long ago, he wants to lead you out of any bondage or struggle you may be in. He also wants you to remember times in the past that he may have used his strength and power in your life.
“And Moses said to the people: “Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place…” Exodus 13:3
A devotion of David Wilkerson, Founder of World Challenge, Inc., based on this scripture, speaks to this issue of finding new strength.
When we need additional strength, God reminds us that he can be our source. When we humble ourselves ( James 4:7) and acknowledge that God is the God of strength, we can receive supernatural power through his Spirit and by his hand.
Resources on Strength:
Affirmations About Strength We Receive From God.
More Blog Posts About Strength.
Sep
17
2009
I am a survivor of prostate cancer and believe that I should do my part in educating men about this type of cancer and motivating them to have the proper screening.
September is annually recognized as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Ten years ago I had no idea what the prostate was. This type of cancer is second only to skin cancer in annual detections and 1 in every 6 men will develop cancer of the prostate.
As a prostate cancer survivor, I urge all men to make sure that you receive appropriate age & risk-related screenings. It was through a blood PSA test, and a follow-up tissue biopsy that I learned I had cancer. Do yourself and your loved ones a big favor. Follow the guidelines and have a checkup if you’re due!
Prostate Cancer Resources
A Decision Guide to Prostate Cancer Screening from the CDC – a PDF File
La detección del cáncer de próstata: Una guía para hispanos en los Estados Unidos – a PDF File
All About Prostate Cancer from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Prostate Cancer Foundation
Da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy- the surgery I had performed
Send a Prostate Cancer E-Card to a Man You Care About
My Blog Posts Sharing About My Cancer Experience
This blog post is sponsored by Douglas S. Scherr, M.D., Clinical Director of Urologic Oncology, Department of Urology, The New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Sep
16
2009
When I learn of information that I think will help others, I’m likely to pass it along more quickly than more slowly. This is one of those times.
About 5 years ago I read a book by Dr. Kara Davis, a practicing internal medicine physician, on the secrets to losing weight. It was based upon the application of the different “fruits of the spirit” addressed in Galatians 5:22-23.
Her new book is Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss. A 50-Day Renewal of Body, Mind and Spirit. It combines spiritual truths of the Bible with practical yet medically sound advise on eating and physical activity.
I’ve read the introduction and the first of the 50 four-page chapters and scanned over the remainder of the book. One thing is clear - Davis’ heart is that people know the loving God of the Bible and that they be in good health. This book would be great to read read as a devotional over a 50 day period and I suspect could be a life-changing experience for some of you.
“For He (God) has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He (God) has filled with what is good.” Psalm 107:9
Questions to Reflect On:
Are struggling with your weight and ready to grow more deeply in your relationship with God and yourself? If so, I strongly recommend you read this book.
Do you know of a friend or family member who is challenged by their weight? Consider sharing this post and book with them.
Resources for Weight Management and Weight Loss
Article – Spiritual Exercises to Help You Know God Better and Manage Your Weight
Article – Overweight? Find Freedom From Overeating
Scripture Listing – Scriptures for Weight Loss and Weight Management
Sep
10
2009
Daily Scripture Affirmations on Twitter
The following affirmations were tweeted over the last month. Speak them out loud. Make them your own.
Read my blog post on how to use scriptures to make affirmations in your own life.
“I do not fear because God strengthens me.” Isaiah 41:10
“I am full with the joy of the Lord.” Isaiah 42:10
“I am strong with the special favor God gives me in Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:1
“I believe in Jesus, so I will live again after I die.” John 11:25
“The Lord fills my life with good things.” Psalm 103:5
“I have been raised to new life in Christ!” Colossians 3:1
“I give my burdens to the Lord and he takes care of me.” Psalm 55:22
“I am a child of God.” John 1:12
“I am God’s masterpiece.” Ephesians 2:10
“My God supplies all my needs.” Philippians 4:19
“God’s truth sets me free.” John 8:32
“God generously pours his Spirit upon me because of what Jesus did.” Titus 3:6
“As I wait on the LORD I find new strength.” Isaiah 40:31
“God strengthens me because my heart is fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9
“I am not troubled because I have the peace of Jesus.” John 14:27
“The Spirit who lives in me is greater than the spirit of the world.” 1 John 4:4
“I am happy because I am strong in God.” Psalm 84:5
“I have confident trust in God.” Hebrews 10:35
“Greater is He who lives in me than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
“I trust in the Lord with all my heart.” Proverbs 3:5
“I have faith in God. I will not fear.” Mark 4:40
“I have confident trust in God.” Hebrews 10:35
“I must feed on every word of God.” Matthew 4:4
“I keep God’s words in my heart. They are health to my whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22
“God comforts me so that in turn I can comfort others.” 2 Corinthians 1:4
“I do not follow worthless idols so I have a bunch of God’s grace.” Jonah 2:8
“God forgives all my sins.” Psalm 103:3
“I walk along the path of God’s commands & that is where my happiness is found.” Psalm 119:35
“God gives me mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 3:16
“I am like a tree planted along a riverbank because I think on God’s principles.” Psalm 1:2-3
“The Spirit who lives in me is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” 1 John 4:4
“I know what real love is. Christ gave his life for me.” 1 John 3:16
Scriptures from the New Living Translation, First Edition were used.
Related Affirmation Resources
PDF file – Affirmations About the Strength We Receive from God
Sep
09
2009
A speaker in the door panel of my car has been blown and I’ve wanted to replace it so the quality of the stereo would be better. Having been successful in changing out a rear sub-woofer speaker in between the back seat and the trunk of this car, I was optimistic that I’d be successful in getting to this one.
I had researched on the internet and found a site where I could download the instructions – for a $4.99 fee. However, always liking a challenge, I decided I would give it a go and see if I could solve this on my own. I’d download the file if I really needed to.
I found the 5 screws holding the panel to the door frame and took them out. I then gently pried with a screwdriver around the outside of the panel, hoping that it would just “pop” out. It would not pop off. It was clear that the small area around the electric buttons controlling the door and windows was connected in some way to the door… and I was not able to determine how to loosen that spot. The last thing I wanted to do was to damage the panel and break something.
I was at a decision point. Do I continue to pry and poke around in an attempt to force the panel off or do I pay a small fee to receive what I hoped would be detailed, step-by-step instructions. I made a decision to do the later. Sure enough the instructions included a technique to pry down on a certain spot around the inner door handle which released the last area that was keeping the panel from coming off. With this information in hand, the panel was off in 30 seconds. With the panel off I was able to access the speaker that was blown. It was a breeze. Now my challenge will be to find a replacement speaker… actually it’s the small tweeter.
Wellness in the Bible
Where’s all this headed? It was a reminder for me of the importance of having the right instructions for my specific challenge. In this case, it was the need to learn of a technique I had not used before to repair an aspect of my car. I suspect most all of you own a car… and many of you own a house. There are typically the two most valuable items that a person owns. But there’s something that each of us has that is even more valuable than these two items and that’s our body. A gift from God, our body enables us to function and relate to our world in a physical way. When we purchase a new car, it includes a detailed set of instructions or guidelines on how to maintain it. There are also detailed instructions available on how to repair it or how to replace broken components, as in the case with my broken speaker.
God has given us guidelines on how to care for all aspects of our self – body, soul and spirit. The Holy Bible includes his complete set of instructions on how to live a rich and rewarding life. God has made his truths available for us so we can be equipped to do what he intended us to do on this earth. See 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
The more I read and study the Bible, the more I am appreciative how much wisdom I can learn from it. It is chock full of instructions on how to live life and with information to help us understand God.
If you want to be reminded of the value of reading and living by God’s principles, read Psalm 119: 1-176. Over and over the author tells us of the benefits of obeying God and aligning our life with his instructions.
Can you relate to my need for obtaining a set of detailed instructions to replace a speaker from my car? If so, I hope you can relate to reading God’s instructions to caring for your body and for living life.
A Few Questions to Consider:
Are you regularly reading the Bible to understand how God intends for you to live life?
When you find yourself in a life situation and needing guidance on making a decision, where or to whom do you tend to turn to for wisdom?
Some Helpful Resources:
Article – His Instruction Manual – Our Guidebook for Healthy Living
Web Page – How God Designed Us – Spirit, Soul and Body
Web Page & Booklet – “Spiritual Exercises for a Healtheir Life”
Sep
04
2009
If you’re a late night eater or snacker, it may be detrimental to your ability to manage your weight.
The study is said to be the first to show directly that there is a “wrong” time to eat. This was just reported in the current issue of the journal Obesity which showed that mice who ate at night gained more weight than mice who ate at normal hours.
Here is a summary article reported in the BBC News – “Eating Late at Night Adds Weight” and this following link is to the abstract of the article in the Obesity Journal – “Circadian Timing of Food Intake Contributes to Weight Gain.”
Just trying to keep you informed on issues affecting health.
Resources on Weight Management
Scripture List Related to Weight Loss and Weight Management
Sep
02
2009
Childhood Obesity
The childhood obesity issue is huge! If you are involved, especially at the local government level, the following should be a helpful resource.
Recognizing that local government officials are eager to address the childhood obesity epidemic, The Institute of Medicine (IOM) produced Local Government Action to Prevent Childhood Obesity, a report that serves as a practical guide for government officials at the city, town, township or county level who want to take action to address healthy eating and active living.
This report recommends 58 action steps organized under 15 broad strategies. The IOM Committee also highlighted 12 of the most promising strategies across the report with the greatest potential to make a difference based on available research.
Roll up your sleeves and lend a hand.
Articles I’ve Written on Obesity and Weight Loss
Spiritual Exercises to Help You Know God & Manage Your Weight
Overweight? Find Freedom from Overeating
Other Resources for Weight Management
Scriptures for Weight Loss & Weight Management
